<< This giveaway is now closed. The winner was announced here on June 25th, 2012>>
Welcome to a very special edition of the 52 Weeks of Bad A** Bacteria series! This week, I am honored to review my friend Wardeh’s new fermenting book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fermenting Foods. Wardeh is a fellow Nourished Living Network member, and she is also the publisher of the very popular site, GNOWFGLINS. I’m sure most of you know who she is!
A couple months ago, Wardeh released her new book on how to ferment foods. Let me just tell you — this is the perfect resource for both newbies and experienced fermenters alike. I have read the book, cover to cover, and I keep going back and referring to certain sections when I feel like I need a little refresher (which is a lot!). Plus, all of the recipes she provides gives me ample ideas to keep me going on my fermenting journey. This book is over 300 pages long and includes very detailed and resourceful sections that I know I will refer back to over and over again in the future. This book has already taken up residency on my kitchen counter and it’s here to stay!
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy of this book at no charge. I was under no obligation to post a review or giveaway, nor did I receive any monetary compensation for this post. This post may contains affiliate links and/or ads. I only recommend products or services that I have personally tried and love. For these products, I am part of their affiliate program and when you make a purchase through any of these links, I earn a small commission on each sale, which allows me to cover a portion of the cost of this site. This has no effect on your sale price and is simply a cost of doing business for the company you are purchasing from. All funds received help with the continued maintenance of this website and free content. You can view it like leaving a tip. Thank you! Read our full terms and conditions here.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fermenting Foods – 3 Info-Packed Sections
So, what all does the book include, you ask? Well, lots more than I ever expected!
The book is divided up into three sections.
In the first section Wardeh gives us some historical insight on fermenting, as well as explaining why fermenting is an important tradition for us to carry on today. Also, included in the first part is specific information on how the fermentation process works, how to cultivate the good guys and how to send the bad guys packing. She closes the first section with a detailed explanation of the tools of the trade — what are the key things that all fermenters need in their “toolbox”.
Once Wardeh sets the stage for fermenting, why we should practice it, and what we need to get started, she leads us into the recipes in second section of the book. This book has over 100 recipes. More than enough to get your started if you’re new to the fermenting world. Or, even if you’re already experienced, I’m pretty sure there will be new recipes in there to challenge and tingle your taste buds! This section specifically covers fermenting vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, beverages, and your basic condiments. Some recipes include:
- Bread and Butter Pickles
- Ginger-Zucchini Relish
- Raspberry-Mint Preserves
- Pickled Eggs
- Kanji
- Mugi Miso
- Kefir Creme
- And much more!
The last section of the book was the most interesting section for me, because she dove into the world of cheese and dairy. Cheese is an area that I find especially fascinating and I can’t wait to start trying some of the basic cheese recipes that she shares. I’ve always been interested in cheese and think that if I ever come back in another life, I’d like to be a cheesemonger. Wrapping up the last section, Wardeh even shows us how to ferment meats and fish, which is something I have never done … not sure how I feel about it. I’ll save that section for when I’m feeling very adventurous! 
Have I piqued your interest? I bet you’d love a copy of this book for yourself, wouldn’t you? Well, now is your opportunity! Wardeh has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a copy of this book. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy of this book at no charge. I was under no obligation to post a review or giveaway, nor did I receive any monetary compensation for this post. This post may contains affiliate links and/or ads. I only recommend products or services that I have personally tried and love. For these products, I am part of their affiliate program and when you make a purchase through any of these links, I earn a small commission on each sale, which allows me to cover a portion of the cost of this site. This has no effect on your sale price and is simply a cost of doing business for the company you are purchasing from. All funds received help with the continued maintenance of this website and free content. You can view it like leaving a tip. Thank you! Read our full terms and conditions here.
Delicious Obsessions was founded by Jessica Espinoza in 2010. Jessica is passionate about real food, natural living, and more. She helps people see how to eat nourishing food, without breaking the bank. Her motto is "baby steps" -- making small, lasting changes, one at a time, is the best way to ensure long-term success. This website contains "affiliate links" where appropriate, on which, I may earn a small commission or referral fee on your purchase. This has no effect on your price. The monies earned help maintain and support this website's hosting, maintenance, and the development of free content. The content shared on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Statements/products discussed have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult your own health care practitioner before making changes to your current diet or before beginning any herbal or vitamin supplement regimen or exercise program.
I’d love to have more knowledge on fermenting, since I’m a newbie at it. Thanks!
I wish to win this book to lern more about fermentation mistakes !
I have been wanting to read this book for a while. I am relatively new to fermenting and I think it would be a great addition to my library!
I want to win this book so that I have a handy resource when I’m in the kitchen with all the beautiful food and want to ferment it to make it more healthy for us!
I want to win this book so I can continue to strengthen the body of my twelve year old who is now cancer free!!!! :0)
This book looks great! I am just getting going in fermenting and have only played around with a few very simple things like kruat and dill pickles. It is amazing how many possibilities and flavors are available!
I am so interested in all things cultured, fermented and all! We are smoking our own meats and making sourdough and this book would be dog eared and well read!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Blue Strong on FB
I would love to win a copy of this book! I keep finding more and more health reasons why I need to be incorporating fermented foods, but do not really know where to begin.
I’d love to win because I’m just getting started on fermenting foods.
I just started fermenting and would love to read this book!!
I want to win this book because I’ve borrowed it from my library twice (and there’s always a long list of people waiting for it, so I can’t keep it longer than 3 weeks). I would LOVE to have my own copy so I can keep making those wonderful recipes!
I would love to win this book. My Doctor, over 3 mos ago placed my on a very Specaily Diet called the SCD (Special Carbohydrate Diet) for the soul purpose of healing my gut, which from Celiac Diease and Other Autoimmune disease have destroyed my digestive system. One of the most important things about healing the gut is that it needs ferminted foods with live cultures to replace and kill bad bugs and funguses to restore true gut flora, so it becomes a place of health and protection from other diseases. I would love to have this book to learn how to fermint all kinds of things. Most of the Store bought Ferminted foods have ingredients that I cannot eat. So, it would be neat to make my own and then I can choose what goes inside it. Thank you for the oppurtunity
Cathi G.
Ventura, CA
I’d love this book! I need to eat more fermented foods but can’t often buy them bc of the additives. Plus, it would be a great guide (I’m afraid of growing bad bacteria).
We’ve recently started changing how and what we eat. I follow Wardeh’s site GNOWFGLINS and, this book would be exactly what I need to help me get started fermenting our own foods. Better eating, with much less reliance on store-bought foods.
Thanks to Wardeh for offering the book and to you for your review and for the chance to win this. 
Laura @ The Unexpected Homesteader recently posted..Ban the Barcode!
What a great resource.
I bought a copy of this for my best friend but still don’t have one for me!
Soli recently posted..How to make crispy nuts
Looks like a great book!
I’d love to learn how to ferment at home!!!
Thanks so much for offering this contest! I would love to add this book to my library and will definitely add it to the list of books I recommend to my clients.
On a side note … the Rafflecopter app gives credit for a comment before one is entered. Did on Chrome, at least.
Thanks!
Pamela Reilly recently posted..By: Mary
I want to win this book because I 1st love Wardeh and her knowledge and second because I want to learn more about fermenting.
I want to win this book so I can send this with my daughter as she starts her new family!
I’d like to learn more about making dill pickles, sauerkraut, and pickled beets. Also my son would absolutely love this book. He has tried his hand at some pickled foods, and I know he’d like to try more.
I’m really into fermenting but could use some help with it.
I would love to win because I am kind of freaked out to start fermenting foods but I know they are super good for us. Also, I know she has tried these things out and has come up with a good system that works.
Tami recently posted..Homemade Taco Seasoning
I really want to get into fermenting but I have no clue where to start. This would be perfect for me!
I am finally ready to incorporate more fermented foods into my familys diet, and need a great how-to source. Plus Wardeh is great!!
I’ve been wanting to try this for a while now. This would get me started!
Barbara recently posted..Melon, Avocado & Prosciutto Open-Faced Sandwich
Looks like a book I NEED for my library!
Fermenting is something I’ve just started looking into and this book looks like the perfect resource!
I want this book because 1. It’s written by Wardeh. 2. I love fermenting. 3. I read cookbooks like novels.
Cultured Mama Dawn recently posted..Traditional Tuesday’s Nutritious and Delicious Blog Carnival
I want to learn all I can about Fermenting.
I would love to try the recipes in this book.
Thanks for a great opportunity to win this fabulous book. Been thinking of getting it since she published it a few weeks ago!
I take a daily probiotic because I’m breastfeeding and my daughter has awful gas problems if I don’t.. I keep meaning to try fermenting but it just seems so daunting.
I would love to win this book as I keep reading how much fermented foods will help with several different health issues I’m dealing with, but I’m a little leery about actually trying it. An “Idiot’s” guide would be great!
This book has been on my “to read” list!
I would love to ferment, but am a little intimidated with doing it wrong. This book would be a great help. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
I am on raw food since 25 years and I have still to learn…
I am a total fermented food novice and am terrified of messing things up and growing a jar full of mold!! Any help I can get (in the form of books, videos, whatever) is totally appreciated!
I have already learned so much from Wardeh, I know that I could learn even more if I could get my hands on this book. I just don’t have the money to buy it.
This looks so interesting, this Idiot would love The Complete Idiots Guide!
Ohhh a guide to fermenting, maybe I can figure out what went wrong when I tried to make sauerkraut.
My wife is getting me the picklit kit for my birthday and this book would be the perfect compliment to it.